Singing and ringing in the New Year

Jacques Cohen, left, belts out a verse of “Midnight Special,” at the second annual Splash Jam. Photo by Tony Cagala

ENCINITAS – “Dust off your guitars and come on out,” said Janice Sharples. She brought out her autoharp on New Year’s Day to the Cardiff Kook statue for the second annual Splash Jam event.

Most of the songs played during the unplugged jam session were improvised by the musicians equipped with harmonicas, violins, guitars, mandolins, banjos and plenty of other instruments. The event drew a crowd that was treated to some folk songs, bluegrass music, even a rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”

The second annual Splash Jam drew a crowd at the Cardiff Kook statue. Photo by Tony Cagala

Jim Humphrey plays his guitar perched on the pedestal of the Cardiff Kook statue. Photo by Tony Cagala